Flowering Dogwood

What appears to be a single, showy flower on this tree actually is a cluster of flowers surrounded by 4, petal-like "bracts." Nevertheless, these highly visible white (sometimes pink or rose) flower-clusters are a distinctive feature of forests, fields, and hillsides in springtime Ohio. In the fall, leaves of the Flowering Dogwood turn brilliant scarlet in color. The tree grows well in almost any fertile, well-drained soil. It is found throughout most of Ohio. The wood is extremely hard, strong, and tough. One of its principle uses has been in making weaving shuttles. Also, it has been used for various turned articles and golf club heads. It is a very successful urban ornamental tree, and as such has been planted widely. Many kinds of birds feed on the fruit and a few mammals eat the seeds.